::NEW CHURCHES

Pastors Charlie & Gina Weir

Gateway Church

Spring Hill, TN

Gateway Church is a church whose purpose it is “to provide settings where people can experience life as God intended.” This new church plant, located outside of Nashville in Spring Hill, TN is a church where God is moving. Pastor Charlie Weir and his wife Gina felt God stirring them to expand their faith and trust Him to lead them out of their comfort zones. Their heart is to reach some of the 185 million un-churched people in the United States. With a heart for the lost and a desire to connect them with the hope that Jesus provides, they are seeing people commit their hearts to the Lord. In past months, since they have opened their doors, the message of Gateway is drawing people to a relationship with God, and encouraging them to seek Him. Gateway has become a refuge for those who had “given up on church” and thought that there was nothing God could offer them. Through the Weirs’ heart to demonstrate the life God has planned for His children, they are seeing God do great things in their community. Gateway offers answers for those who are searching for something. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, this new church is seeing people experience “fresh starts, great friends, and real purpose.”

Grant & Karen Thiessen

The Experience Church

Huntington Beach, CA

“The Church should exist for those who are not yet its members.” What a profound statement! This means that the purpose of the whole body of Christ is to function in a way so that it brings more people into a relationship with Christ. Grant Thiessen practices this ideology everyday on the beaches of Huntington Beach in northern California. With the idea to win disciples for Jesus Christ, he is building relationships. He believes that if you “win them to yourself, you can win them to your God.” Through this method of loving the un-churched, Grant is building relationships with those who might not be ready to darken the doors of a traditional church building. Known as the “Beach Pastor,” Grant has incredible opportunities to introduce the un-churched to his God and see lives changes as a result of that introduction. God is working mightily in his ministry, Experience. As Grant continues to follow God, with a passion to build relationships for the Kingdom, God is providing funds, contacts with influential people, (including the city council) and facilities in which to conduct his ministry. Through loving the people God has placed before him, Grant is able to point them to a loving Heavenly Father who is waiting to hold them.

Robert & Pam Simmons

New Mercy Community Church

Lexington, KY

There is new vision and new life in the Christian community in Lexington, Kentucky. In a place where only 20 percent of those under the age of 44 attend church, Bo Simmons has heeded the call to reach younger generations. His vision for his new church plant, New Mercy Community Church, is to reach children and help them “be the church” rather than just coming to church. In the passion of the old-time Pentecostals who birthed the Church of God denomination, Simmons has an insatiable desire to see young men and women operate in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He believes children should experience the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives now; it is foolish to wait for them to grow up before they experience the fullness of Christianity. While using an old message, Simmons employs new methods of reaching the un-churched. Through intimacy in relationships and modern worship directed by the young people, Simmons is reaching his community. New Mercy is training junior intercessors, greeters and teachers in training. In an effort to reach the younger generations, Simmons has created an atmosphere where learning is important and God is everything. Not a bad place to be.

Pastor Anthony Braswell

North Parks Church

Raleign, NC

Raleigh, North Carolina is the site of a new church plant for the Church of God. The lead pastor, Anthony Braswell, is determined to carry out the call he feels so heavy on his heart. That call is to reach those who have been rejected by the churches already established in the area. His heart is to touch the un-churched and the society’s outcasts through sharing the love of Jesus Christ in through practical avenues that reach people where they are. Braswell employs strategies to interest and engage the non-religious—to meet them where they are. His church, Northpark Church, hosts a trendy website that offers information, chats and even free podcast downloads. Braswell is using the tools common in most households to share the love of Jesus. Northpark also offers programs that double as outreaches such as a fitness class for ladies, and dinner for the family before Wednesday services. Representatives from the church build relationships with students in the public schools by scheduling basketball games at public schools. Under Anthony Braswell’s leadership, Northpark Church is reaching out to their community in practical ways to share the love of Jesus Christ. Through developing relationships, this new church plant is able to spread the Gospel and demonstrate how the power of the Holy Spirit changes lives.

Pastor Devlin & Joni (& Staff)

The Parks Church

Austin, TX

Austin, Texas and its surrounding suburbs are home to growing communities. Austin is a young and vibrant city that offers opportunities in different areas of business and education, and has been listed as a great place to relocate to and raise a family. Austin is also the seventh largest un-churched city in the United States. Devlin and Joni, along with other leaders, felt God calling them to reach out to this “eclectic and electric” city. With focus on “faith, family and friendship,” they planted a new church under the umbrella of the Church of God: The Parks Church. Through God’s favor and anointing, the Parks has experienced favor with influential people, increased finances and the provision of needed equipment. With the vision to provide culturally relevant direction to the un-churched population of their city, God is enabling them to complete their mission. They have a unique relationship with the Parks Department of their city and work in concert with them to provide community-wide gatherings. The leadership team at The Parks uses this opportunity to build relationships with people with the end goal to bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ. The Weirs and their leadership team are dedicated to communicating the love of Jesus clearly, creatively and practically in an effort to reach different generations for Christ.